There’s something very attractive about Halloween.
During my own childhood, it was an opportunity to seek an unlikely house and retrieve free candy.
Never mind the skeletons hanging on the garage or the tombstones laying in the yard — there was no room for fear if we were going make our evening count before the dentist busted up the festivities.
Yet as we got older, something shifted.
Halloween stopped being about the sweets and more about sweet parties, less about the full-size candy bars and more about the fully-stocked bars.
Whether it’s a greaser from The Outsiders or Waldo, for one night only, people are given the liberty to be whoever or whatever they want.
It’s one of the only nights when absolute madness can ensue and in the morning the world goes on as if nothing happened.
This begs the question, “Where can students expect to find the pandemonium this year?”
“There’s an event happening in the IMAX Theater in Channelside. I’m going as Borat!” exclaimed freshman Alistair Gibson.
“I know there’s something happening called ‘Temptation,’” said junior Kylie Jacob. “I might dress up as one of Katy Perry’s ‘California Girls’; or maybe the girl from the movie Kick-Ass.”
“I’m going as Batgirl. I haven’t been to Guavaween in Ybor, but apparently it’s something everyone should go to,” sophomore Kristine Koran said.
Even though there are a variety of events occurring throughout the weekend, a good number of students will be spending Halloween the old-fashioned way.
Sophomore Bina Brown plans on giving back to the community by passing out candy and working with PEACE.
For some, Halloween is still about being a kid again.
For example, sophomore Ashleigh Johnson is going trick-or-treating on Bayshore.
For the music lovers, the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra will be playing throughout the weekend.
Junior Jenna Farmer said, “I’m taking my cousin trick-or-treating.”
“My family and I are going to Universal Studios,” said freshman Mike McLaughlan.
If you’re looking for something to do, but don’t like the club scene or if you’re looking to save money, have no fear!
There are plenty of events happening on campus.
The lovely ladies of Sigma Gamma Rho are hosting a joint party in the boathouse with the Caribbean Students Association.
And if you’re not into Halloween, like students freshman Anisha Russell or senior Adler Dorvilus, you might fancy the Scavenger Hunt Intervarsity is hosting in the Courtyard on Saturday.
“I’ve never celebrated Halloween. My parents used to take my candy and say it was the ‘devil’s candy,’” Dorvilus explained.
“They ruined my whole Halloween experience.”
Regardless of what any student might be planning for Halloween, everyone should exercise the utmost safety.
If students are going to Ybor, no one should wander by themselves.
If someone wants to trick-or-treat, remember never eat any open candy.
Most importantly, have fun.
After all, Halloween only happens once a year.
Tomy Wilderson can be reached at tlwilkerson@spartans.ut.edu.